Gabriela on Bautista controversy: More than marital status, it is COMELEC’s integrity at stake with Bautista’s unexplained SALN

“More than marital status, it is COMELEC’s integrity at stake with Bautista’s unexplained SALN.”

This is the statement released by the women’s group Gabriela in reaction to the Bautista issue that stems from exposé of Patricia ‘Tish’ Bautista that her estranged husband Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista have amassed ill-gotten wealth.

Gabriela’s statement was posted on its official Facebook page on August 7, 2017 but generated little interest in social media.

Gabriela emphatically said that the public needs no further explanation of his marital status but the unexplained wealth.

Check the post below.

More than marital status, it is COMELEC’s integrity at stake with Bautista’s unexplained SALN

“It is the unexplained wealth and not the status of his marital relations that COMELEC Chair Andres Bautista must explain and be made accountable for by the public.”

This is according to Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Arlene Brosas following the reported acquisition of properties, several bank accounts by Baustista as reported by his wife Patricia Bautista.

“We are increasingly becoming wary that this issue will be reduced to a spat between spouses when it is in fact the integrity of the country’s poll body that is in fact at stake.”

Commissioner Bautista declared a net of P176.3M in his Statement of Assets and Liabilities despite reportedly having several undeclared properties and bank accounts estimated to reach almost P1B.

“We call for vigilance amid allegations of corruption and demand that the issue be investigated in a conduct that is both impartial and transparent. Commissioner Bautista thoroughly explain and be made accountable for these glaring irregularities.”

Meanwhile, Gabriela gets flak from netizens for what they call a delayed reaction on the part of the women’s right advocacy group.

San Rey remarked: “Gabriella aka yellow only women rights! Napaghahalata no rally, no press con!!! you are too late, too slow and not too loud about depending Tish! Lol”